By IANS
New Delhi : Canada has appointed its high commissioner to India David M. Malone as president of the prestigious International Development Research Centre (IDRC) that helps developing countries make optimal use of science and technology for development.
“The appointment will be effective July 1, 2008. He will replace Maureen O’Neil,” a press release by the Canadian high commission said here.
Malone “is an accomplished diplomat and respected scholar”, said Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Bernier.
“His immense experience in the field as well as in academic research covers areas such as international economic trends, conflict prevention and human rights. He will be a great asset to the Centre,” he said.
Malone, a veteran diplomat who has taught at some top universities in Canada, France and the US, has published numerous books and articles on international relations.
“I will be tremendously sorry to leave India, an assignment I have loved,” Malone said here.
“But I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to work with the very impressive IDRC board and staff on a broad range of issues highly relevant to India and on which India’s leadership will be of systemic importance to development efforts in the rest of the world,” he said.
IDRC is a corporation created by the Canadian parliament in 1970 to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic and environmental problems they face.
IDRC has located one of its six regional offices in New Delhi.